Group 1: Event Overview - The 112th Tour de France has commenced in Lille, France, featuring 18 WorldTour teams, 2 Pro Continental teams, and 3 wildcard teams competing for the prestigious yellow jersey from July 5 to 27, 2025 [1] - Tadej Pogačar from UAE Team Emirates, the previous champion, aims for his fourth title, making his performance a key highlight of the event [1] Group 2: Sponsorship and Commercial Interest - Nike has partnered with the Dutch team Visma-Lease a Bike as their non-competitive apparel sponsor, while Adidas has announced a partnership with the British team INEOS Grenadiers [1] - Anta, a Chinese sports brand, has become the main sponsor of the MENTECH Continental Cycling Team, marking a significant entry into the cycling market [2] Group 3: Audience and Viewership - The Tour de France is broadcast in 190 countries, with 740 million views on its official platform last year [3] - In 2024, approximately 150 million viewers in Europe are expected to watch the event, with over 40 million viewers in France alone [3] Group 4: Economic Impact and Sponsorship Structure - The Tour de France has 59 partners, including media, broadcasting, and charity organizations, with 49 categorized into five sponsorship tiers [5] - Although specific revenue figures for the Tour de France are not disclosed, it contributed 53% to the revenue of Amaury Sport Organisation in 2023 [5] Group 5: Chinese Team Participation - The Astana team, now branded as "Xidesheng Astana Team," represents the first Chinese team to participate in the Tour de France, following a strategic partnership with Shenzhen-based Xidesheng [6] Group 6: Competitive Landscape in Cycling - Anta's entry into the cycling market is seen as a move to invigorate the sport and strengthen its position in the outdoor market [9][11] - The competition among traditional sports brands like Nike, Adidas, and Anta in the cycling sector is expected to enhance the commercial appeal of professional cycling events [13][17] Group 7: Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - The cycling market is experiencing a shift, with traditional sports brands aiming to capture market share in a segment that has been dominated by specialized cycling brands [17] - The price dynamics of bicycles have shown a disparity, with international brands reducing prices while Chinese brands like Xidesheng continue to rise [18]